Next year’s X Games in Aspen will be the first in Winter X history without a cross course, which features massive jumps and berms where ski and snowboard gladiators race in groups of six. Boardercross debuted in the 2006 Winter Olympics and ski cross followed in Vancouver’s Winter Games in 2010.

Boardercross – called Snowboarder X by the X Games – is one of three events that have been a part of every Winter X Games since 1997. Ski cross – or Skier X – debuted a year later. ESPN is also cutting Mono X – featuring disabled athletes competing in sit skis – which debuted five years ago at Aspen’s Buttermilk ski area.

ESPN.com reported the news late Wednesday.

“These decisions are never easy, obviously,” said Tim Reed, the senior director of content strategy for ESPN X Games, in the ESPN web article. “We understand the ramifications these things bring. We come up with what we believe are the best events to showcase to our fans on-site and obviously the networks, too.

Reed’s statement noted there “wasn’t one single factor that led to this decision.”

“It just comes down to filling the schedule with how much we believe we need to make the event enjoyable to the fans and deliver on what we need from a product standpoint,” Reed said.

Also, two snowmobiling events that were dropped from the Winter X Games 2012 show, Speed and Style and SnoCross, which ran 14 consecutive games, are returning for 2013.

One of the only head-to-head events, exciting and non-subjective. I won’t be watching next year.

Movenon

Agreed Feed…, The one and only event that was up to teh athlete and only the athlete, no scores, no judges, just be the first down to win. Butter it up all they want, what it comes down to is $$, the advertisers, target audiences, and this just wasn’t bringing int the money they are looking for/require. Obviously this is a business, nobody is denying that. Lost another fan/consumer/potential customer here.

Unfortunate decision. The cross events were favorites of ours to watch because of the head-to-head aspect/excitement. My kids and I preferred watching the cross races over all of the pipe, mogul and jumping events.